AHMEDABAD: Primary schools will not be allowed to interview children or their parents for admissions from the new academic session beginning June this year. Schools will have to take in children on first-come-first-served basis or by draw of lots. Primary education will work on a whole new set of rules from this academic year after the Gujarat government put out a notification to enforce the right of children to free and compulsory education act, 2009. The new rules apply to all school boards, including state CBSE, ISCE and others.

Private schools will have to reserve 25 per cent of their seats for underprivileged children in primary sections. This is aimed at integrating poor students into the mainstream. "All the parents should be given admission forms without any questions. Any form of capitation fee is also prohibited," the notification of February 18 says. The rule wants school to declare under what categories students are getting admissions.

State education secretary R P Gupta said the notification to implement right to education act will bring sweeping reforms in the schools. "Schools found violating any of the admission rules will be fined Rs 25,000 for the first time and Rs 50,000 thereafter," said Gupta.